What is a YEOMAN and how does it work?
YEOMAN plotters were introduced in 1985 as an electronic replacement for traditional plotting instruments. As positioning devices became more sophisticated it was possible to interface Deca, Loran and then GPS receivers to the YEOMAN to provide real time positioning information as well as plotting. The YEOMAN plotter consists of an electronic grid, which sits under the map board and an intelligent mouse that understands where it is on the grid. The “Mouse for Maps”, as it is known, when linked to a GPS receiver, enables the user to see where he is on a conventional paper map. The GPS will only tell you where you are, the YEOMAN will show you! When it comes to navigation, YEOMAN combines two proven technologies, GPS positioning and paper charts. The chart is secured on the mat and the mouse reads its position relative to the mat and translates this into navigational data displayed in an LCD window. A set of indicator arrows points the direction in which to move the mouse so that the plo
